抄録
At present, an increasing demand on technologies to monitor muscle growth and body composition in preclinical animal models is observed. DEXA (dual-energy-X-ray absorptiomety) and pQCT (peripheral quantitative computer tomography) technology are established for determination of bone mineral density/content in primates. DEXA also provides a precise estimate of nonhuman primate body composition whereas pQCT data on muscle cross section area are scant for preclinical animal models. The present study evaluates the reproducibility of whole body composition analysis and compares body composition measurements using pQCT and DEXA in four groups of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): Five animals born during 1995-1996; ten animals born during 1999-2003; nine animals born during 1994-1995 and five animals born during 1992. Coefficent of variation (CV) for reproducibility measurements was 5% for lean and 3%for total mass. For fat, CV was < 20%.. Repeated measurements of muscle cross section are by pQCT revealed a CV around 5% in forearm and shank.DEXA revealed increased average whole body fat, lean and total mass with increasing age. Similar findings were obtained for muscle cross section and fatty tissue in radius and shank by pQCT. Body weight comparisons by balance and DEXA were very close. In conclusion, both DEXA and pQCT techniques can be used to determine and monitor body composition in the cynomolgus monkey model.
